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Both glass etching and glass carving offer a beautifully crafted alternative to simply opting for a completely transparent glass product. While both etching and carving may sound similar and use the process of sandblasting to achieve a desired look, both techniques yield different results. Today we’ll go through how etching and carving techniques differ from each other.

Glass Etching

• Glass etching is the term attributed to the process of treating a glass surface through sandblasting resulting in a one-dimensional frosted appearance that serves to diffuse direct sunlight and minimize glare
• There are two types of sandblasting techniques that are commonly utilized in the etching process:

Single-Stage Sandblasting: this style of sandblasting achieves a one-dimensional frosted appearance by sandblasting the glass surface in a single pass

Multi-Stage Sandblasting: this style of sandblasting achieves a one-dimensional frosted appearance by sandblasting the glass surface in multiple passes

• In glass etching, the speed in which a glass surface is sandblasted is increased and the pressure is decreased
• You can find etched glass in art, glass shower doors and enclosures, windows, commercial office spaces, etc.

Glass Carving

• Unlike glass etching, the technique of carved glass involves sandblasting deeper into the glass surface
• The result is a detailed, three-dimensional image which appears as though it is floating and encapsulated within the glass
• In the process of carved glass, the speed of sandblasting the glass surface is decreased and the pressure is increased; the result is that lines and strokes can be achieved at different depths to create a more three-dimensional design
• You can find carved glass in office signs, art, awards, etc.

In sum the main difference between glass etching and carving is based on where the sandblasting takes place. In glass etching, the sandblasting takes place on the surface in single or multiple passes resulting in a one-dimensional finished product. In carved glass, sandblasting occurs in the depths of the glass surface resulting in a more three-dimensional design.